Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft suffered a shocking playoff loss on Thursday night in the first round of the CIF playoffs, but for Darrion Weems it was still a good week. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound four-star offensive tackle has been selected by Rivals.com to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl.

"He came home after the game and was really down," Toi Malbrough, his mother, said. "I sat him down and told him that he'll get another chance now to show people at the All-American game what he's all about, and he smiled. Great athletes are sore losers, and he's still really down about the game, but every time he thinks about being in the all-star game, he gets excited about it."

Five facts about Darrion Weems

• His personal hero: His mother, Toi Malbrough.
• Plans to major in journalism and communications.
• His favorite website: Myspace.com.
• His hobbies: Helping grandmother around the house, video games, reading, shopping and just enjoying life.
• What he wants to accomplish in life: To get a great education and learn how to be a professional football player.

For example, Malbrough said she's never seen her son move the way he did after he received the call with the invitation to the game.

"Have you ever seen a 6-6, 295-pound guy dance around on his tip toes," she asked.

"I danced ballet for 20 years, and he was dancing around and spinning around like he won a million dollars. He said 'Rivals.com just invited me to play in the All-American Bowl.' Then when Fed Ex hand-delivered his invitation and it said 'Congratulations on being an All-American,' he had me lay it down on the bed and take a picture.

"He was completely jazzed. I told him this is the start of some great things in your life."

Weems was due to have something positive happen in his life, his mother said.

Weems transferred from Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft to Cedar Hill (Texas) High School after his junior year. Originally, Weems was from New Orleans but evacuated because of Hurricane Katrina. To compound things, his mother is ailing and his grandfather is also not doing too well either.

"It all started on Aug. 29, 2005, and hasn't ended yet for Darrion and this family," Malbrough said. "But I truly believing playing in this game is the start of something great for Darrion. He's going to accomplish a lot in life because he's a survivor and it all starts with the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl."